Everyday luxury
At The Ode To we are always curious to learn more about creativity and artistry, so we asked Swedish artist Stina Henriksson at Sa:k design studio to tell us a little bit about her life, her art and her sources of inspiration.
Sa:k Design Studio
What technique have you used to create your candles?
– Casting wax in silicone and sand molds combined, originals in clay or 3d-print. I call my candles Cyclicandles because they are cyclic and can be re-melted into new shapes infinitely.
What inspired you to create the candles that you have made for The Ode To?
– I love candles and the way they add a feeling of luxury, even to an ordinary Monday dinner. It made me think about the interesting contrast in a candle wax; it’s such a durable material that doesn’t really age, but it’s also something highly temporary and volatile; we light it up and melt it.
A few years ago, I did a design project about recycled candles, and during that project I collected wax from cafés and restaurants in Malmö. The amount I was able to collect was more than I had ever expected, which made it clear to me how much perfectly fine material that is just thrown away. So, my collection for The Ode to is inspired by the contrast that I mentioned before, the durability of the material and the way it serves us with light and melts away. It has had a life before, bringing a bit of luxury to someone’s dinner, and now it keeps on giving. This, together with the fact that every candle is different due to the material mix, inspired me to give the candles personality and character.
Can you tell us about an artist that you admire?
– There are so many artists and designers that I admire, but if I must name one it has to be designer Lisa Hilland. I did an internship at her studio, and she inspired so much; the way her flow of inspiration is endless and how there’s always a “newness” in her work, together with a strong focus on materiality and sustainability.
How did you come to be an artist?
– I have a background as a wig maker and make-up artist at the opera and theatre. Although it was my profession for many years, I wanted to follow my inner drive towards art and design. So, about ten years ago, I went to preparatory art school and discovered industrial design. Today I have a master’s in fine arts, in industrial design, from the IKDC at Lund University.
How would you describe your art and aesthetics in three words?
– Exploratory, conceptual, tactile.
What we love about Stina Henriksson:
We absolutely adore how Stina Henriksson combines a sustainable philosophy with the idea about adding a little luxury to a Monday dinner, making everyday more beautiful.
